St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-02
MUST GO DOWN.
The Eighth Ward Speaks on the Track
Question.
UNANIMOUS SENTIMENT.
Memorial to Council Prepared---Side
Tracks If II Is Pos
sible.

The Eighth and Thirteenth. and for
that matter the Seventh, wards eX-
pressed themselves very emphatically
last night in the matter of lowering the
Hastings d Dakota tracks. 1t was suf-
ficient of itself that great crowd of
men from the distant parts of the ward
would turn out on such night to give
expression to their views. The hall on
Lake street held a large and enthusi
astic audience, which was presided over
by Capt. Babb. Aid. Cooley again
went over all the ground in
relation to the proposition of
the Milwaukee company, and he and
Aid. StOneman made rafting speeches
in support of the general proposition to
lower. There were some few Obstruc
tionistS present, but they were men who
had dealings along the track, or who
represented one or another corporation.
The people of the wards were over
whelmingly in favor of the proposition.
The committee submitted the following
memorial:
The citizens of the Eighth and Thir-
teenth wards, in mass meeting assembled
on Dec. l, 1887, respectfully represent
to your honorable body that the portion
of the city comprised within the boun-
diaries of said wards, is largely occupied
by residences, and is continually and
rapidly being so occupied and improved;
that the residents of said wards have for
years been compelled to cross the tracks
of the Hastings IL Dakota division of the
Chicago, Milwaukee IL st. Paul railway
on all streets leading into said wards on
grade, which road running east and
west through the most thickly
settled portion of the Eighth ward,
on or about the present grade of the
streets, presents serious obstacle to
the development of said ward south of
said track, and is a constant source of
danger to all persons crossing the same,
and that the value of all property is Sc
riOuSly injured and the development of
that part south of the danger line is ma
terially retarded thereby. Having
learned that your honorable body has
received a proposition from the Chicago,
Milwaukee IL st. Paul Railway com
pany, looking to the lowering of their
tracks, we, therefore, petition your hon
Orable body to make such arrangements
with said company as may be
change may be made in the grade of
the tracks as will allow of the conStruc-
ton of bridges over all streets crossing
said road. We respectfully call atten-
ton to the cOnteStnOw existing between
the city and other railroad companies
for the lowering of the tracks. and urge
action upon this question of such vital
moment to our wards before we are in
vOlved in question which may neces-
state the delay of years before a settle
ment is arrived at. Your petitioners
further represent that the mu-
nicipal income from increased
valuation in property affected
by the change proposed would
in few years, more than repay the city
for any necessary or proposed expense
incurred thereby. We would most
earnestly recommend the consideration
of the foregoing, and that necessary
action may be taken by your body as
will result in the lowering of said tracks,
provided that the same side track facil
tiles which are now enjoyed by business
firms in the Eighth ward shall be made
by the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
Railway company, when the tracks are
lowered.
The closing proviso was put in by the
committee as concession to a few, but
was not the sense of the meeting.
"Side tracks, if possible; but, side
tracks or not, the main tracks must go
down." was the unanimous verdict of
the board. Several representative
men of the Seventh ward were present,
and it transpired that while the alder
men of that ward have antagonized the
plan, the people are heartily in favor of
it. 1t is probable a mass meeting will
be held out there to give the aldermen
an intimatiOn.
At last nights meeting there were a
few dilatory motions. but the solid SEN
timent came to the frOH and adopted
the memorial as it stood. Speeches by
John D. Smith, E. A. Stevens, ii. \.
Avery and r. p. Russell voiced the gen.
eral feeling. There is no doubt the
company will meet the council half
way, as it desires to make this division
a short line to Minnetonka, and wishes
to run at speed through the city. 1t is
also probable that rapid transit to the
Eighth ward will result.